World Bank President Candidates To Be Interviewed Next Week

The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank will interview the three candidates vying for its presidency in Washington, D.C, next week.

The interview process will begin on April 9 by meeting with African nominee Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is also Nigeria's Finance Minister.

A reputed economist, diplomat and former World Bank Managing Director, Iweala is seen as a potential challenge to the United States, which is expected to win the support of most developed nations, including the European bloc and Japan.

Former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo will be interviewed on April 10. He is currently Professor at Columbia University, New York.

The interview process will end on April 11, with Jim Yong Kim, who enjoys Washington's official support.

The South Korean-turned American was a surprise choice by the Obama administration. A doctor by profession, Jim is currently President of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire.

The United States, which has been holding the presidency of the World Bank since its founding after World War II, is facing challenge to the top post for the first time in the global development lender's 67-year-old history. The U.S. has the largest voting share among the 187-member World Bank.

The 25-member World Bank Board of member-countries is expected to select the new President by consensus by the 2012 Spring Meetings.

Robert B Zoellick, who became the 11th President of the World Bank Group in July 2007, steps down in June this year.